Seismological and geological studies must be combined into a "seismotectonic" approach before better macrozones of earthquake risk can be designated. Since such zones were published as N.Z. Standard NZS 1900, 1965, pertinent studies have been made: on frequency of earthquake occurrence; on periodicity of faulting in different tectonic regions; and on the present geodetic strain rates. Integration of these and previous studies may result in agreed seismotectonic zoning, but the conversion to risk zones requires different types of decisions dependent on the assessment of the risks themselves and of the significance of differences of risk in relation to zone boundaries.