Female infanticide

The practice of infanticide, and in particular of female infanticide, is of particular importance to the story of the Maori, as this had a significant impact on population dynamics, continuing until the second half of the nineteenth century. Since the practice and impact of infanticide is frequently, and strenuously, denied, it is important to establish quite clearly that it was prevalent and often observed. In fact, infanticide has been remarkably common in many societies throughout history and, in particular, across Asia – the starting point of the Polynesian journey into the Pacific – where a desire for male children and readiness to abort females (now aided by scans in pregnancy) remain to the present day. (21) That theme is taken up further in a later chapter “Was infanticide significant?”. Despite the claims to the contrary by many ‘scholars’, including the influential demographer Ian Pool, there are very many reports of infanticide, which was widespread.
https://www.kiwifrontline.nz/enlightenments/female-infanticide

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