This includes what can be termed “Australasia” and Polynesia, including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea. Sacred art from this region is diverse and ranges from the sacred paintings of Aboriginal Australians, through the intricate Maori religious carvings, to the art of colonial era Christianity.

Second New Zealand museum returns cultural objects to central Australia's Warumugnu people

(Australia; New Zealand)

Callan Morse (2022). Second New Zealand museum returns cultural objects to central Australia's Warumugnu people. National Indigenous Times. 26 September.

The museums returning their ancient artefacts

(New Zealand)

Bryony Cottam (2022). The museums returning their ancient artefacts. Geographical. 24 September.

'Their time in the light' - the repatriation of cultural taonga

(New Zealand)

Hamish McNeilly (2022). 'Their time in the light' - the repatriation of cultural taonga. Stuff.co.nz. 22 September.

How many antiquities in Australian museums are stolen from our neighbours?

(Australia; India; Thailand; Cambodia)

Will Jackson (2021). How many antiquities in Australian museums are stolen from our neighbours?. ABC Australia. 28 March.

36 antique idols, artefacts returned to India by US, Australia, UK in last 5 yrs, govt says

(India; United States of America; Australia; United Kingdom)

Soniya Agrawal (2021). 36 antique idols, artefacts returned to India by US, Australia, UK in last 5 yrs, govt says. The Print. 17 March.

US an Oz ignore India's request for return of stolen idols

(India; Australia; United States of America)

Yogesh Kabirdoss (2018). US an Oz ignore India's request for return of stolen idols. The Times of India. 11 December.

Dancing Shiva at Art Gallery of South Australia was stolen from India

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland, Penny Timms (2018). Dancing Shiva at Art Gallery of South Australia was stolen from India. ABC Australia. 12 September.

Oz seeks FIRs of stolen idols cases in English

(India; Australia)

Yogesh Kabirdoss (2018). Oz seeks FIRs of stolen idols cases in English. The Times of India. 15 July.

Stolen korowai returned

(New Zealand)

Jessica Tyson (2018). Stolen korowai returned. Maori Television. 2 July.

ASI to write to Australian museum over stolen idols

(Australia; India)

Yogesh Kabirdoss (2018). ASI to write to Australian museum over stolen idols. The Times of India. 17 January.

'Bring back stolen Buddhist statue to Amaravati'

(India; Australia)

TNN (2018). 'Bring back stolen Buddhist statue to Amaravati'. The Times of India. 10 January.

Votualevu Mandir Installs CCTV Cameras, Burglar Bars

(Fiji)

Lusi Banuve (2018). Votualevu Mandir Installs CCTV Cameras, Burglar Bars. Fiji Sun. 4 January.

Aussie museum seeks more info on six stolen TN idols

(India; Australia)

Yogesh Kabirdoss (2017). Aussie museum seeks more info on six stolen TN idols. The Times of India. 19 November.

ASI writes to Indian mission at Australia with details of stolen artefacts from Tamil Nadu

(India; Australia)

Yogesh Kabirdoss (2017). ASI writes to Indian mission at Australia with details of stolen artefacts from Tamil Nadu. The Times of India. 3 October.

The story behind the world's oldest surviving wharenui at Te Papa

(New Zealand)

Laura Macdonald (2017). The story behind the world's oldest surviving wharenui at Te Papa. Newshub. 29 September.

Colonial conquest's lost treasures return to Myanmar

(Myanmar; New Zealand)

Jared Downing (2017). Colonial conquest's lost treasures return to Myanmar. Fontier. 8 August.

New Zealand family's gift bridges 165 years, heals colonial wounds

(Myanmar; New Zealand)

Jacob Goldberg (2017). New Zealand family's gift bridges 165 years, heals colonial wounds. Coconuts Yangon. 24 July.

Sacred ancient objects returned to Australian Indigenous leaders after centuries

(Australia)

The Sun Daily (2017). Sacred ancient objects returned to Australian Indigenous leaders after centuries. The Sun Daily. 24 July.

Descendants of conquerors to return artifacts stolen during Anglo-Burmese War

(Myanmar; New Zealand)

Coconuts Yangon (2017). Descendants of conquerors to return artifacts stolen during Anglo-Burmese War. Coconuts Yangon. 4 July.

Destruction of Mosul's Great Mosque holds a heritage lesson for Australia

(Australia; Iraq)

Dale Stephens, Tara Gutman (2017). Destruction of Mosul's Great Mosque holds a heritage lesson for Australia. The Guardian. 29 June.

Police to seek documents from Australian authorities

(India; Australia)

The Hindu (2017). Police to seek documents from Australian authorities. The Hindu. 2 June.

1,000-year-old 'Narasimmee' comes back to Tamil Nadu

(India; Australia)

R. Sivaraman (2017). 1,000-year-old 'Narasimmee' comes back to Tamil Nadu. The Hindu. 27 May.

How idol thieves deceived devotees

(India; Australia)

R. Sivaraman (2017). How idol thieves deceived devotees. The Hindu. 27 May.

Australia returns Tamil Nadu's antique idol stolen by notorious smuggler Kapoor

(India; Australia)

TNN (2017). Australia returns Tamil Nadu's antique idol stolen by notorious smuggler Kapoor. The Times of India. 27 May.

Prized sculptures returned by Australia on display now

(India; Australia)

PTI News (2017). Prized sculptures returned by Australia on display now. PTI News. 23 May.

Reuniting Indigenous 'sticks' with their stories: the museum on a mission to give back

(Australia)

Paul Daley (2017). Reuniting Indigenous 'sticks' with their stories: the museum on a mission to give back. The Guardian. 3 March.

Hyderabad: Stolen antiques make their way back home

(India; Australia)

C. R. Gowri Shankar (2017). Hyderabad: Stolen antiques make their way back home. Deccan Chronicle. 16 January.

Australia returns three antiquities to India

(Australia; India)

Press Trust of India (2017). Australia returns three antiquities to India. The Times of India. 16 January.

'Indian art awaits high scrutiny in Oz'

(Australia; India)

U Tejonmayam (2017). 'Indian art awaits high scrutiny in Oz'. The Times of India. 11 January.

Pratyangira idol and two other artefacts back in India

(India; Australia)

TNN (2016). Pratyangira idol and two other artefacts back in India. The Times of India. 26 December.

Art dealer Nancy Wiener who sold stolen Buddha to NGA arrested

(United States of America; India; Cambodia; Australia)

Michaela Boland (2016). Art dealer Nancy Wiener who sold stolen Buddha to NGA arrested. The Australian. 22 December.

New York Art Dealer Charged With Trafficking Illegal Antiquities

(United States of America; India; Cambodia; Australia)

Lisa Bannon (2016). New York Art Dealer Charged With Trafficking Illegal Antiquities. The Wall Street Journal. 21 December.

Prominent Antiquities Dealer Accused of Selling Stolen Artifacts

(United States of America; India; Australia; Cambodia)

Tom Mashberg (2016). Prominent Antiquities Dealer Accused of Selling Stolen Artifacts. The New York Times. 21 December.

Virgin Mary stolen from Helensville church

(New Zealand)

Danielle Clent (2016). Virgin Mary stolen from Helensville church. Stuff.co.nz. 6 December.

Aboriginal art depicting Wandjina figure that sparked aliens theory to be reclaimed by traditional owners

(Australia)

Erin Parke (2016). Aboriginal art depicting Wandjina figure that sparked aliens theory to be reclaimed by traditional owners. ABC Australia. 4 December.

Arrests confirm more thefts in NGA collection

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland (2016). Arrests confirm more thefts in NGA collection. The Australian. 2 December.

Stolen Indian idols to be brought to National Museum from Australia

(India; Australia)

The Times of India (2016). Stolen Indian idols to be brought to National Museum from Australia. The Times of India. 16 November.

AGNSW's Indian sculptures feared stolen

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland (2016). AGNSW's Indian sculptures feared stolen. The Australian. 17 October.

Explainer: The NGA looted antiquities scandal

(Australia; India)

The Australian (2016). Explainer: The NGA looted antiquities scandal. The Australian. 14 October.

Cultural ownership and responsibility is not just a fad

(Australia)

Esther Anatolitis (2016). Cultural ownership and responsibility is not just a fad. Eureka Street. 3 October.

Five stolen Tamil Nadu idols in Oz on radar for return

(Australia; India)

Yogesh Kabirdoss (2016). Five stolen Tamil Nadu idols in Oz on radar for return. The Times of India. 1 October.

India takes possession of stolen 12th-century Brahma sculpture

(Australia; India)

Eastern Eye (2016). India takes possession of stolen 12th-century Brahma sculpture. Eastern Eye. 1 October.

Sacred Maori paintings taken from King Country trust boardroom

(New Zealand)

The New Zealand Herald (2016). Sacred Maori paintings taken from King Country trust boardroom. The New Zealand Herald. 23 August.

Polynesian sculpture admired by Picasso and Henry Moore far older than previously thought

(French Polynesia; United Kingdom)

Martin Bailey (2016). Polynesian sculpture admired by Picasso and Henry Moore far older than previously thought. The Art Newspaper. 15 August.

Australia to return stolen Buddha statue to India

(Australia; India)

The Tribune (2016). Australia to return stolen Buddha statue to India. The Tribune. 22 July.

NGA's stolen buddha slowly homing in on return to India

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland (2016). NGA's stolen buddha slowly homing in on return to India. The Australian. 22 July.

National Gallery of Australia likely to forfeit more ancient Indian antiquities, says director

(Australia; India)

Andrew Taylor (2016). National Gallery of Australia likely to forfeit more ancient Indian antiquities, says director. The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 July.

Evidence mounts two National Gallery of Australia sculptures may have been looted

(Australia; India)

ABC Australia (2016). Evidence mounts two National Gallery of Australia sculptures may have been looted. ABC Australia. 4 July.

Two more antiquities may have to be returned by the National Gallery of Australia to India

(Australia; India)

Sally Pryor (2016). Two more antiquities may have to be returned by the National Gallery of Australia to India. The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 July.

Australian Hindus Urge Sydney Art Gallery to Return Hindu Statue If Illegal Acquired

(Australia; India)

The Chakra (2016). Australian Hindus Urge Sydney Art Gallery to Return Hindu Statue If Illegal Acquired. The Chakra. 2 April.

AGNSW's 1000-year-old Hindu goddess 'may be illegal'

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland (2016). AGNSW's 1000-year-old Hindu goddess 'may be illegal'. The Australian. 2 April.

NGA keeping mum on 1000-year-old Indian goddess statue

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland (2016). NGA keeping mum on 1000-year-old Indian goddess statue. The Australian. 29 March.

Priceless Indian Artefacts With Australia; Will They Ever Come Back Home?

(Australia; India)

S. Vijay Kumar (2016). Priceless Indian Artefacts With Australia; Will They Ever Come Back Home?. Swarajya Magazine. 27 March.

Australian gallery identifies looted Indian treasures

(Australia; India)

Geoff Hiscock (2016). Australian gallery identifies looted Indian treasures. Nikkei. 26 February.

Provenance of Ros Packer buy shaping up as bull

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland (2016). Provenance of Ros Packer buy shaping up as bull. The Australian. 18 February.

National Gallery judged victim of fraud over Asian antiquities

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland (2016). National Gallery judged victim of fraud over Asian antiquities. The Australian. 18 February.

National Gallery of Australia review finds 22 works of 'insufficient or questionable' provenance

(Australia; India)

Simon Thomen (2016). National Gallery of Australia review finds 22 works of 'insufficient or questionable' provenance. Business Insider. 17 February.

Provenance of 22 Asian artworks at National Gallery of Australia in doubt

(Australia; India)

Shalailah Medhora (2016). Provenance of 22 Asian artworks at National Gallery of Australia in doubt. The Guardian. 17 February.

NGA wants to return buddha, but doesn't know where

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland (2016). NGA wants to return buddha, but doesn't know where. The Australian. 12 February.

Australia's Dancing Shiva legally exported, says Subhash Kapoor

(India; Australia)

Michaela Boland (2016). Australia's Dancing Shiva legally exported, says Subhash Kapoor. The Australian. 9 February.

Te Pahi's medal among Waitangi treasures

(New Zealand)

Lois Williams (2016). Te Pahi's medal among Waitangi treasures. Radio New Zealand. 14 January.

ASI brings back three stolen artefacts from Australia

(Australia; India)

Amrita Madhukalya (2016). ASI brings back three stolen artefacts from Australia. DNA. 6 January.

Unsettled art show accompanies Encounters at the National Museum of Australia

(Australia)

Clare Colley (2015). Unsettled art show accompanies Encounters at the National Museum of Australia. The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 December.

Man admits stealing Maori artefacts

(New Zealand)

Hawke's Bay Today (2015). Man admits stealing Maori artefacts. Hawke's Bay Today. 9 December.

Indigenous objects return to Australia in new exhibition

(Australia; United Kingdom)

Amelia Caddy (2015). Indigenous objects return to Australia in new exhibition. Australian Geographic. 7 December.

Encounters exhibition: a stunning but troubling collection of colonial plunder

(Australia; United Kingdom)

Paul Daley (2015). Encounters exhibition: a stunning but troubling collection of colonial plunder. The Guardian. 26 November.

Stolen Buddha still posing at National Gallery of Australia

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland (2015). Stolen Buddha still posing at National Gallery of Australia. The Australian. 16 October.

Australian art gallery to return 2000 year old Buddha idol to India

(India; Australia)

The Indian Express (2015). Australian art gallery to return 2000 year old Buddha idol to India. The Indian Express. 11 October.

Cultural objects lent to National Museum of Australia to have extra protection

(Australia)

Clare Colley (2015). Cultural objects lent to National Museum of Australia to have extra protection. The Canberra Times. 10 September.

Dancing Shiva may not be stolen, says National Gallery chairman

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland (2015). Dancing Shiva may not be stolen, says National Gallery chairman. The Australian. 20 August.

National Gallery of Australia finally mothballs Kapoor artworks

(Australia; India)

Michaela Boland (2015). National Gallery of Australia finally mothballs Kapoor artworks. The Australian. 19 August.

Court fight over Maori artefacts comes to an end

(New Zealand)

Imran Ali (2015). Court fight over Maori artefacts comes to an end. The Northern Advocate. 14 August.

Enduring controversy: BP sponsorship ignites new row over British Museum's Indigenous exhibition

(Australia; United Kingdom)

Paul Daley (2015). Enduring controversy: BP sponsorship ignites new row over British Museum's Indigenous exhibition. The Guardian. 21 July.

Queensland Art Gallery probes past of Hindu statues

(Australia; India)

Kristian Silva (2015). Queensland Art Gallery probes past of Hindu statues. Brisbane Times. 10 July.

Hindu cleric targets QAGOMA for return of Indian antiquities

(Australia; India)

Gina Fairley (2015). Hindu cleric targets QAGOMA for return of Indian antiquities. Visual Arts Hub. 6 July.

Hindus urge National Gallery of Australia to expedite provenance of Hindu statues

(Australia)

Merinews (2015). Hindus urge National Gallery of Australia to expedite provenance of Hindu statues. Merinews. 4 July.

Queensland Art Gallery may have to return stolen antiquities

(Australia; India; Nepal)

Michaela Boland (2015). Queensland Art Gallery may have to return stolen antiquities. The Australian. 19 June.

La vente d'art kanak suspendue

(New Caledonia; Switzerland)

Sale of Kanak Art Suspended

Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes (2015). La vente d'art kanak suspendue. Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes. 13 June.

Illegal antiquities trade grows as NGA door guardians remain on display

(India; Australia)

Michaela Boland (2015). Illegal antiquities trade grows as NGA door guardians remain on display. The Australian. 13 June.

Des objets d'art kanak « volés » présentés lors d'une grande vente aux enchères en Suisse ?

(New Caledonia; Switzerland)

Stolen Kanak art objects offered at a large auction in Switzerland?

Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes (2015). Des objets d'art kanak « volés » présentés lors d'une grande vente aux enchères en Suisse ?. Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes. 10 June.

National Gallery of Australia gets refund as Buddha goes home

(Australia)

Michaela Boland (2015). National Gallery of Australia gets refund as Buddha goes home. The Australian. 6 March.

Stolen cultural objects: what's the role of Australian galleries?

(Australia)

Lyndel Prott (2014). Stolen cultural objects: what's the role of Australian galleries?. The Conversation. 30 November.

Daylesford police recover $135K worth of stolen church items

(Australia)

William Vallely (2014). Daylesford police recover $135K worth of stolen church items. The Courier. 7 July.

Western Australia Aboriginal leaders retrieve secret sacred items taken a century ago

(Australia)

Tanya Nolan (2014). Western Australia Aboriginal leaders retrieve secret sacred items taken a century ago. ABC Australia. 6 June.

India expects Australia to return ancient statues soon

(Australia; India)

Press Trust of India (2014). India expects Australia to return ancient statues soon. The Hindu. 4 June.

Australia must return stolen Shiva statue to India: former diplomat from Natasha Chaku

(Australia; India)

DNA (2014). Australia must return stolen Shiva statue to India: former diplomat from Natasha Chaku. DNA. 11 April.

National Gallery of Australia director Ron Radford reluctant to admit Dancing Shiva is stolen

(Australia; India)

Andrew Taylor (2014). National Gallery of Australia director Ron Radford reluctant to admit Dancing Shiva is stolen. The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 April.

National Gallery Shiva statue return'should include gift of goodwill'

(Australia; India)

Andrew Taylor (2014). National Gallery Shiva statue return'should include gift of goodwill'. The Canberra Times. 2 April.

National Gallery of Australia defends practices despite admitting it may have been conned into buying stolen Indian art

(Australia; India)

Anna Maria Nicholson (2014). National Gallery of Australia defends practices despite admitting it may have been conned into buying stolen Indian art. ABC Australia. 5 March.