This paper reviews the highlights, key points of discussion and learnings from an IUFRO Unit 1.01.04 (Forest Establishment and early Growth Dynamics) Conference held in Rotorua, New Zealand, March 2025. With strong attendance at the conference and growth in representation from Asia, the conference endorsed the importance of the Unit at a time marked by both a global drive to plant more trees and diminishing capacity in forest establishment expertise. We review highlights from sessions on establishing forests resilient to rapid climate change, mechanisms underpinning tree seedling quality and resilience to stress at establishment, next generation silviculture and vegetation management research. We reflect on the learnings for forest regeneration in New Zealand and highlight topics for future conferences. With ever diminishing resources for science, the conference endorsed the importance of building enduring global connections through platforms such as IUFRO to ensure regular exchange of knowledge and ideas that cut across institutional, geopolitical and scientific boundaries.
Rolando et al. (Mon,) studied this question.