This paper reviews considerations attendant on introducing an operational forecasting scheme in New Zealand. A background section summarizes the current views on the scientific basis of earthquake forecasting and the progress of empirical studies on New Zealand data. Further sections examine the likely form and time-scale of earthquake forecasts, technical resources required for different aspects of developing the forecasts, the need to identify and work with users of forecast information, and the protocols and procedures for issuing regular and ad hoc forecasts. The need for integrating the development of a forecasting programme within a coordinated framework of natural hazard mitigation is emphasized.