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Rock art is a form of cultural expression that dates back to roughly 60,000 years ago in a variety of nations, one of the most prominent being New Zealand. The Ngai Tahu Whanui tribe of New Zealand has worked to protect the rock art of the Maori people for years. At the tribal initiative organization Te Ana, you can witness centuries of rock art history these members aim to protect for future generations.
From New Zealand's Fiordland-southeast region to Karamea in the northwest, you'll be able to find different sites featuring these natural art displays throughout the area. Sometimes painted or drawn onto the surface of the rock and other times carved into the stone, the artwork is detailed and masterful.
At the nonprofit Te Ana center, a wealth of rock drawings, carvings and paintings will be right at your disposal, showcasing the different types of paint that artists used, which often involved mixing fat with vegetable gum, and then soot or kokowai (red ochre), depending on if the creator wanted red or black paint.
If you'd prefer a walking tour when you take a medical job in New Zealand, the Te Ana volunteers can take you on a journey to different caves and spots where the Maori people originally created their masterpieces.