The Highest Grossing Speed Cameras in New Zealand

From boy racers to busy commuters, we all know New Zealand has a problem with speeding, but just how bad is it?

With the number of speed cameras set to quadruple as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) takes over the operation from NZ police, we’re taking a deep dive into the performance of static speed cameras across the country.

Using NZ police data from January 2009 to March 2024, we’ve uncovered the top-grossing static speed cameras over the past five years, from 2019 to 2023. With this information, you’ll know exactly where to slow down on your next road trip to ensure you don’t become one of New Zealand’s worst speeders! Or, more importantly, gain insights into the role speed cameras play in road safety and driving behaviours, both good and bad.

Top 5 Highest Grossing Speed Cameras in New Zealand Over the Past 5 Years

1. Hillsborough Road, Auckland West

• Area: Auckland West

• Site Location Road Name: Hillsborough Road

• Site Location Road Section: Between Olsen Avenue and Goodall Street

The speed camera on Hillsborough Road, between Olsen Avenue and Goodall Street in West Auckland, is the undisputed revenue champion, raking in $12,034,660 over the past five years. This bustling urban road sees heavy traffic daily, making it a hotspot for speed enforcement.

Interestingly, this camera has seen a significant downward trend in fines year over year, going from $3,883,060 in 2019 to $1,519,560 in 2023. This downward trend would suggest these cameras are working as intended — as a deterrent.

2. Coatesville Riverhead Highway, Waitemata North

• Area: Waitemata North

• Site Location Road Name: Coatesville Riverhead Highway

• Site Location Road Section: Between Wake Road and Goldflats Lane

For the runner-up, we're swapping buildings for barns and heading to the rural region of Waitemata North. Nestled between Wake Road and Goldflats Lane, the speed camera on Coatesville Riverhead Highway has amassed a whopping $10,701,160 in revenue. This scenic, rural stretch is a favourite for drivers who may push the speed limits, especially in seemingly less monitored areas.

Despite having lower traffic volumes, the Coatesville Riverhead Highway camera is a hotspot for speeding infringements. These rural routes often have long, straight stretches that tempt drivers to exceed speed limits. The data suggests that while traffic volumes may be lower in rural areas compared to urban centres, the incidence of speeding is substantial.

3. State Highway One, Wellington

• Area: Wellington

• Site Location Road Name: State Highway One

• Site Location Road Section: Between Glover Street and Newlands Road Overbridge

The speed camera on State Highway One between Glover Street and Newlands Road Overbridge in Wellington has brought in $10,620,050 over the past five years. This major highway is a lifeline for both local and long-distance traffic, with high-speed limits that are often exceeded. Its consistent performance over the years highlights the ongoing challenges in managing speeds on major transport routes.

4. State Highway 20, Auckland

• Area: Auckland

• Site Location Road Name: State Highway 20

• Site Location Road Section: Southbound right Lane Between the Tunnel Entrance and Exit

Bringing in $10,055,250 in total, the speed camera on State Highway 20 in Auckland, particularly southbound between the tunnel entrance and exit, is among the top earners. This high-traffic location, especially during peak hours, sees drivers often speeding to save time. The tunnel's confined environment might also contribute to speed violations as drivers adjust to varying limits.

5. State Highway Two, Waikato East

• Area: Waikato East

• Site Location Road Name: State Highway Two

• Site Location Road Section: Between Seddon Street and Old Waitekauri Street

With $9,514,240 in total revenue over the past five years, the speed camera on State Highway Two between Seddon Street and Old Waitekauri Street in Waikato East stands out for its relatively low traffic volumes but higher revenue statistics. This rural highway connects key regions, often tempting drivers to speed on its long, straight stretches. The consistently high revenue from this and other rural cameras highlights the widespread issue of speeding outside urban areas. 

What Can We Learn From Speed Camera Trends?

Urban vs. Rural Speeding in New Zealand

Speeding is a major concern in both urban and rural areas of New Zealand. In bustling urban centres like Auckland, speed cameras rake in concerningly high revenues. Take Hillsborough Road, for instance, where the camera has collected a whopping $12 million over five years. Similarly, cameras on Dominion Road and Great North Road are cash cows, highlighting the tendency of city dwellers to be heavy on the pedal.

But let’s not let rural areas off the hook just yet. Highways and rural roads, such as State Highway Two and Coatesville Riverhead Highway, are not far behind. The camera on State Highway Two has garnered $9.5 million, while Coatesville Riverhead Highway's camera brought in $10.7 million. These figures point to a widespread speeding issue on these less congested roads, where drivers might be tempted to speed without the watchful eyes of enforcement.

So, which is worse? While urban speeding poses severe risks due to high pedestrian activity and dense traffic, the allure of open roads in rural areas makes speeding more prevalent. It’s a bit like comparing apples to oranges – both have their dangers, but rural areas edge it out with higher instances of speeding on lower volumes of vehicles.

A Promising Downward Trend

Total static speed camera revenue across the country is down year on year from a whopping $55,222,240 in 2019 to a modest (if you can call it that) $29,940,390 in 2023. This downward trend is massively encouraging, not only for Kiwi drivers' wallets but also for the safety of our roads.

Speed cameras aren’t meant to be revenue generators but safety tools. A successful speed camera should deter motorists from speeding in the first place and avoid handing out tickets entirely. Transport Minister Simeon Brown echoed this sentiment in a media release, saying, “Speed cameras should be about improving safety, not raising revenue.”

Further plans are in place to reduce these revenue amounts even more, with the government and Waka Kotahi set to roll out new speed camera signage across the country over the next 12 months. According to Brown, these cameras are "Providing Kiwis with an opportunity to check their speed and slow down in high crash areas where speed cameras are located, helping to avoid speeding tickets and the more tragic consequences of speeding.” More apparent signage is hopped to make drivers aware of camera locations, reinforcing the message that the goal is to reduce speeding and improve road safety, not to fill government coffers​.

Kiwi Drivers Speeding Down

As Waka Kotahi gears up to increase the number of speed cameras in operation across the country, these stats offer a revealing snapshot of Kiwi driving habits. From urban hustle to rural risk-takers, it's clear that Kiwi drivers have a penchant for pushing the limits. But that heavy foot is getting lighter, with cameras generating less and less revenue each year. While this downward trend is promising, the high totals still show we have a long way to go.