And while youth convictions have risen nationally by more than 50 per cent in the year, the ministry has declined to release details of Northland's youth crime convictions.
A leading criminologist says creating more jobs and opportunities could help reduce youth offending.
There were 124 burglary convictions in the 12 months to July compared with 118 the previous year, although Whangarei alone had 1491 reported burglaries in the 12 months to last April. The Far North had an almost identical number with 1482 and
Kaipara recorded 382.
Last year the number of burglaries solved in Northland was 6.9 per cent.
The figures show 33 convictions were recorded in Northland courts for robberies over the same period compared with 24 in 2016 - an increase of 37.5 per cent.
In terms of age groups, people over 40 topped the list at 1010 convictions and the number each year has remained over 1000 since 2006.
However, sociologist Jarrod Gilbert said the figures on people over 40 did not necessarily mean they were the worst offenders.
"It's a very big bracket because over 40 means any age between 40 to 100. We do know that offending generally drops off after a certain age group," he said.
"In fact, those over 40 tend to commit fewer crimes largely as a result of them ageing and maturing."
Ministry figures also show the number of 10- to 16-year olds charged with robbery throughout the country has jumped by 56 per cent in the past year alone.
It was the highest number since 2008.
The ministry refused to reveal figures for Northland, saying names and identifying details of those who appear in Youth Courts are suppressed by law.
However, the number of people aged between 17 and 19 dropped from 471 to 411 and those aged 20-24 from 831 to 808.
Youth crime, Dr Gilbert said, must be the focus of community groups, police and politicians.
"Once people enter the criminal justice system, they are highly likely to return. If we can tackle the root causes around youth crime that will reduce the number of victims and save an enormous amount of money."
He said inter-generational crime was prevalent and factors such as lack of jobs in certain areas meant young people resorted to breaking the law.
Dr Gilbert cited the demand for tobacco products and their high prices as one of the reasons people robbed retailers.
Northland courts registered 3795 convictions in 2016/17, including 601 where people went to jail and 1829 that resulted in community sentences. In 182 convictions no sentences were recorded.
In the 2016/17 year, 2869 males were convicted (down from 2882) compared with just 781 females (down from 786).
Maori had the highest conviction rate of all ethnic groups. In the past year, 2487 Maori were convicted, down from 2544 the previous 12 months, compared with 912 European (down from 944) and 95 Pacific people (down from 112).
