The Commerce Commission is investigating what it believes to be a cartel even larger than the nearly $3 billion in business generated by the airlines it says colluded on freight charges.
Commission chairwoman Paula Rebstock said of more than 10 cartel investigations underway, one "affects more commerce" thanin the airline case announced yesterday.
She would not release details of those involved but said it could take until next September to decide whether to prosecute the case.
New Zealand was no longer immune from international operations.
"We know now that most of the international cartels are operating in New Zealand."
Two of the current cartel investigations were "purely domestic".
In all cases, the commission would suggest a 50 per cent discount for those who co-operated, although this was for the court to decide.
A lot depended on the timing and extent of the co-operation. "We would be happy to recommend extensive reductions in their penalties because they co-operated with us well in advance."
"Granting leniency to a cartel participant is a difficult thing to do but as you can tell this cartel was in operation for seven years."
It was the leniency policies and the threat of being sent to jail that had "really opened up the cartel".
"Around the world it's proven its worth. There is very firm incentive to be the first through the door."
United States and Britain had prison terms for individuals and Australia was moving down the same track. There had been some preliminary assessment of similar sanctions here.
"There's evidence cartels are avoiding the United States. They're not operating in the United States because of sanctions against individuals," Rebstock said.
"I think you'll see that pattern continue around the world. We certainly would not like to see their headquarters shift to New Zealand if criminal sanctions are brought in in Australia."
