[3] The construction of the purpose-built museum started in 1975, funded in part by the Australian government, and it was opened to the public on 27 June 1977.

[7] The museum officially reopened on 12 October, with a re-naming of the gallery spaces to reflect indigenous Papuan identities - the new names are: Tumbuna, Susan Karike, Bernard Narokobi, Ian Saem Majnep and Be Jijimo.

[8] The work was funded through the Papua New Guinea - Australia partnership alongside staff and the NMAG Board of Trustees.

[8] The museum and gallery house objects and artworks which reflect Papua New Guinea's rich indigenous cultures and societies.

[11] In 1974, Prime Minister Michael Somare wrote: “We view our masks and art as living spirits with fixed abodes.

[9] In 2020 the museum received 225 objects from the National Gallery of Australia, as part of an agreed program of repatriation.

In 2006, doubt was raised over the legality of the ownership of several objects in the De Young Museum's Melanesian collection.