Lake Wānaka (also spelled Lake Wanaka) is New Zealand's fourth-largest lake. In the Otago region, it is 278 meters above sea level, covers 192 km2 (74 sq mi), and is more than 300 m (980 ft) deep. "Wānaka" is the South Island dialect pronunciation of wānanga, which means "the lore of the tohunga or priest" or a place of learning.The town near the foot of the lake is named Wanaka. A Kāti Māmoe settlement at the site of the modern township was Para karehu.