Which of the following statements best chatagorizes Maori-European relations? A. The Maori majority continues to dominate New Zealand politically and economically, and those of European decent have struggled to gain equality. B. The European majority in New Zealand have made no efforts to make amends for injustices towards the Maori in the nation's past, so relations remain strained. C. The nation is one of the few colonies that enjoyed peaceful and fair dealings between native peoples and European settlers throughout its history. D. Significant progress has been made in recent years between those of Maori and European decent in New Zealand, and relations have improved.

Answer: D. Significant progress has been made in recent years between those of Maori and European decent in New Zealand, and relations have improved.

Explanation: Indeed, European/Maori relations were supposed to be ruled by the Treaty of Waitangi, by which Maori leaders gave the British Crown sovereignty over the land of New Zealand in exchange for being admitted into the British Empire as subject with full rights. The treaty also recognized Maori ownership of New Zealand lands. The text was drafted in both English and Maori, and because of that, the meanings and scope of each version differ significantly. AS a result, Maoris gradually lost control of their lands and British colonists retained most of the power. This resulted in the New Zealand Wars of the second half of the 19th century. It wasn't until the 1950s that the Maoris were able to compel authorities to recognize the treaty as the standard by which relations between Maoris and Europeans would be defined. A series of financial reparations have been paid for about one billion by the New Zealand government to the Maori community.