The "respect and responsibility review" will seek to change the "macho" culture of the country's national sport, the sporting body said.
One of the most contentious episodes saw a woman hired to strip assaulted at a team party earlier this year.
NZR was heavily criticised for its response to this and several other incidents that have sparked rows.
This season itself, star scrum-half Aaron Smith was at the centre of a scandal after he was seen entering a toilet cubicle with a woman at Christchurch Airport. He was later found guilty of misconduct.
"In the same way that rugby seeks to do better on the field, we must constantly seek ways to improve off the field," NZR chief executive Steve Tew said.
The scandals that tainted New Zealand's national sport
The review will consider what further action needs to be taken "to build a culture of respect and responsibility in the professional rugby environment", according to NZR chairman Brent Impey.
A nine person panel will be headed by Law Society president Kathryn Beck.
"I think it was quite deliberate that a woman was made chair of this panel," said Ms Beck.
"It is a very clear focus on women and the impact of the respect and responsibility within the rugby community on women, both within the community and externally."
The panel will also comprise of Olympic athlete Lisa Carrington, former All Black athletes Michael Jones and Keven Mealamu and Sport NZ board member Jackie Barron amongst others.
The panel will provide the New Zealand Rugby board with a preliminary report next April, with panel recommendations expected to come in May.

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30 September 2015 Last updated at 18:44 BST
Part of the sea wall at Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve on the Colne Estuary, near Colchester, has been breached to allow sea water to gush in.
The high tides will help to form a new area of salt marshes, mudflats and saline lagoons.
The reserve is already recognised nationally and internationally and is home to thousands of birds.
The 22-hectares (54 acres) of new wetlands include a nursery area for marine fish, little tern nesting areas, a bird hide and public footpaths on what was once a private part of the estuary.
The Essex Wildlife Trust and Environment Agency project will also help to protect the coast as the salt marshes and mudflats will absorb waves and floodwater.
Footage courtesy of Tim Mitchell.

Paramedics were called to The Mitre pub, on Spider Island, in Allenton, at about 15:00 GMT on Sunday.
The 24-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of Monday and is in police custody. The teenager remains in a serious condition in hospital.
"We would urge anyone who might have information that could help us to come forward immediately," police said.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is to form a panel to tackle sexism, after a series of scandals involving players.
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A stretch of land is being deliberately flooded at an Essex nature reserve to create more habitat for wildlife.
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed outside a pub in Derby.