A static speed camera on a stretch of State Highway 1 north of Wellington raked in almost $1.5 million in the first six months of 2024.

The camera between Glover St and Newlands Rd overbridge made $1.46m after issuing 19,841 tickets, making it the highest-earning speed camera to date this year.

The next two highest-earning speed cameras in the same period were in Auckland.

One camera on SH1 between Waiwhiu and Forestry Rds, in Dome Valley north of Auckland, earned $905,330 from 12,930 tickets while one of six SH20 (Southwestern Motorway) cameras in the Waterview Tunnel earned $769,830 from 10,274 tickets.

These three cameras collected $3.1m during the first six months of 2024, according to the latest figures available.

The highest-earning South Island camera was on Wansbeck St, Ōamaru, between Awamoa Rd and Solway St which made $395,590 from 5877 tickets.

AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen told the Herald speed cameras were a well-established and important tool for helping reduce harm by keeping more drivers within the speed limit.

“There have been many studies done around the world and in New Zealand measuring the impact of speed cameras and they have consistently shown crash reductions in the locations where cameras are used,” he said.

“The SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research in the Netherlands quotes a meta-analysis of studies on speed cameras that found about a 20% reduction in fatal and serious crashes from traditional cameras and more than 50% reduction where point-to-point cameras are used.

“New Zealand is just starting to introduce some point-to-point speed cameras now but they are not active yet.”

NZTA recently released data showing a huge difference in vehicle speeds before and after cameras were present, Thomsen said.

“A site on SH1 at Kawakawa in Northland only had 34% of vehicles travelling at the speed limit before a camera was installed. With a permanent camera and warning signage now in place, 93% of vehicles were travelling within the speed limit in September,” he said.

These SH1 signs near a Kauri speed camera, north of Whangārei, have been replaced with warning signs saying ‘safety camera area’.

“On Waitākere Rd in Auckland, 62% of vehicles were travelling within the limit previously but with a permanent camera and warning signage installed there is now 98% of vehicles travelling within the limit.

“Surveys of our members show a majority support speed camera enforcement but there has always been some people who perceive the cameras as more about revenue gathering.

“This perception should be lessened now that New Zealand is introducing warning signs ahead of all permanent speed cameras to give drivers the chance to check their speed and slow down if they need to,” Thomsen said.

“This is a change the AA called for over many years and we expect to now see even less people speeding at the higher-risk locations where permanent speed cameras are placed.”

“It is also worth noting that the fines issued by speed cameras do not go directly to police or NZTA as some people think but rather goes into the Government’s general Crown funds,” he said.

“The ultimate aim of using speed cameras needs to be issuing as few tickets as possible because hardly anyone is breaking the speed limit.”

A police spokesperson said fixed cameras target speeding drivers because speed was the single biggest determinant in the outcome of any crash, even if it wasn’t the cause.

“A small change in speed makes a big difference to injury severity in a crash. Less speed means less harm.

“Speed and travelling too fast for the conditions are contributing factors in almost all crashes resulting in serious injury or death, regardless of the cause.”

The spokesman said the operation and ownership of speed cameras was moving from police to the New Zealand Transport Authority Waka Kotahi (NZTA) but police officers would continue to provide enforcement.

A new generation speed camera on SH1 between Kawakawa and Moerewa - officially a safety camera - was the first such camera to start operating in Northland.

“We would be delighted not to issue any infringements, as this would show everyone was driving safely and not putting themselves or others at risk.

“As of midnight November 19, 2024, there had been 56 fewer deaths on the road this year than at the same time in 2023.

“Police have been working tirelessly to keep people safe on the roads through our focus on speed and other unsafe behaviours on the roads. Speed cameras support this work as we can’t be everywhere at all times.”