A novel maize variety designated PHNWK and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHNWK with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHNWK through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHNWK or a trait conversion of PHNWK with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHNWK, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHNWK and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods.