The correct answer is C) the Maori won legal equality early on but saw their rights taken away over time.
The statement that best summarizes the effect of British colonization on New Zealand native Maori people is "the Maori won legal equality early on but saw their rights taken away over time."
Great Britain colonized New Zeland in 1841 and left in 1907. The colony became self-governed in 1852. Captain William Hobson arrived at New Zeland in January 1840, He declared that the islands belonged to the British crown on May 21, 1840. On February 6, the British signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the native people of the island, called the Maoris. In the treaty, the Maori people accepted the presence of the British in return for rights, protection, and privileges. However, the Maori won legal equality early on but saw their rights taken away over time.