What does wanaka mean in maori?

The word "Wanaka" in Māori doesn't have a direct translation. It's believed to be a combination of two words:

* "Wana" which can mean "day" or "sun"

* "Aka" which means "place" or "land"

Therefore, "Wanaka" could be interpreted as "the place of the sun" or "the land of the sun."

However, the exact meaning and origin of the word "Wanaka" are uncertain and open to interpretation.