The word "kawaka" can be spelled in a few different ways depending on the context. In the phrase "kawaka tree," the stress falls on the first syllable and it is pronounced /ˈkɑwəkə/. However, in the Māori language, "kawaka" refers to a type of tree native to New Zealand, and it is pronounced with a long "a" sound and a glottal stop before the final syllable: /kɑːˈwəkə/. So, depending on the language and context, the spelling and pronunciation of "kawaka" can vary.