As one of the few lakes in the South Island with an unmodified shoreline, the lake is protected by special legislation, namely the Lake Wanaka Preservation Act of 1973.
Et Wanaka järv on üks väheseid Lõunasaare järvi, mille kaldajoont pole muudetud, on ta spetsiaalse seadusega (Lake Wanaka Preservation Act, 1973) kaitstud.