The intersections are Te Irirangi and Te Rakau drives in Botany; and the Lambie Drive Interchange (east-bound off-ramp), Manukau.
Mr Cliff says the dual-function speed and red light cameras will operate in red light mode only for the time being, though the speed camera capability offers future potential to also detect those driving through the intersection at unsafe speeds once processing systems have been upgraded.
"The cameras have been operating in trial mode for the last three months to make sure the new technology works perfectly before being switched to enforcement mode.
"Red-light running is highly dangerous - it risks the lives of others simply to get a few metres further along the road. Police's goal is to help improve safety at these high risk intersections, which collectively have seen 43 injury crashes occur over the last few years - 31 of which were directly linked to red light running."
The camera system uses radar to scan and track vehicles as they approach the intersection.
If a vehicle crosses the stop line during a red-light phase, a camera photographs the rear of the vehicle.
A second radar (known as the validation radar) ensures the photograph taken is of the breaching vehicle.
Ernst Zollner, NZ Transport Agency Road Safety Director, said red light cameras would improve safety for drivers and for pedestrians at these busy intersections.
"These cameras will send a clear message to the small minority of drivers who choose to run red lights that their actions put everyone else at risk, including children crossing on foot.
"It's dangerous and unacceptable to hit the accelerator instead of the brakes when the light turns red."
Ministry of Transport data shows there were 280 fatal and 2,965 serious injury crashes at intersections from 2009-2013.
Of those, 12 fatal crashes and 149 serious injury crashes were caused by a driver running a red or an amber light.
"Police will also continue to focus on driver behaviour at all intersections, given that on average, there is at least one fatal crash and 11 serious injury crashes at intersections around the country every week," says Mr Cliff.
Drivers who enter any of the intersections on a red light will be sent an infringement notice with a fine of $150.
"Police would far rather not to have to issue any infringements, but if drivers are prepared to risk their own and others' safety by illegally running through these intersections, then they can expect to be ticketed."
Police retain none of the fines collected from the cameras, all of which goes to the Government.