McKennie said international evidence showed that safe speed cameras do have an impact on slowing people down, particularly around the camera site.
For that reason the high crash risk sites had been chosen.
The use of the cameras would be combined with other road safety initiatives such as maintaining a highly visible police presence on high risk routes and other enforcement tools.
"It's quite simple. If people drive at an appropriate and safe speed for the road and conditions, they'll be in no danger of getting a ticket - or more importantly being involved in a crash," McKennie said.
Placement of the poles and cameras had begun at the 33 sites identified as having a history of fatalities and injury crashes, based on detailed analysis by independent traffic experts.
Work to install the first poles began in early September.
The cameras will be installed after that and once in place, they will be thoroughly tested before becoming operational, McKennie said.
The 33 new speed camera sites
• Tamaki Drive, Parnell
• Hillsborough Rd, Hillsborough
• Great North Rd, Grey Lynn
• State Highway 2, Pukehina
• State Highway 1, Temuka
• Leeston Rd, Springston
• State Highway 3, Mokoia
• State Highway 56, Tiakitahuna
• Mahia Rd, Wattle Downs
• Massey Rd, Mangere
• Waiuku Rd, Mauku
• Glenbrook Rd, Kingseat
• Awhitu Rd, Karioitahi
• Great North Rd, Kamo
• Dunedin Southern Motorway, Burnside
• King Edward St, South Dunedin
• Otatara Rd, New River Ferry
• Maclaggan St, Dunedin Central
• Wansbeck St, Oamaru
• State Highway 2, Maramarua
• State Highway 2, Waikino
• Main Rd, Raglan
• State Highway 29, Te Poi
• Otorohanga Rd, Otorohanga
• State Highway 2, Waihi
• Te Awamutu Cambridge Rd, Cambridge
• Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, Coatsville
• State Highway 1, Wellsford
• State Highway 17, Albany Heights
• Great North Rd, Henderson
• Twin Coast Discovery Highway, Dome Valley
• Rata St, New Lynn
• East Coast Road, Redvale