Devony Baker

Devony Baker is a solicitor specialising in environmental and local government law.

Devony works alongside Environmental Partner Charlotte Muggeridge, to provide advice to local authorities, developers, infrastructure providers, businesses, farmers, and private clients across a wide range of planning, local government and environmental matters. Her work spans the full project lifecycle, from early-stage strategic planning and consenting, through to hearings and appeals.

Devony regularly assists with:

• resource consent matters, including land use and subdivision consents;
• neighbour disputes;
• boundary and fencing issues;
• submissions on local government matters;
• plan change processes and hearings;
• farming and rural matters;
• compliance, enforcement, and defence of prosecutions;
• proceedings in the Environment Court; and
• designations and land acquisitions under the Public Works Act 1981.

Having grown up on a farm, Devony brings practical insight, and an understanding of the challenges facing rural landowners and farming businesses. She has a particular interest in rural subdivisions and matters affecting rural properties and farming operations.

Devony has assisted clients in proceedings before local authorities, and the District Court, Environment Court, and High Court.

Devony’s publications include:

• co-author of “From cousins to siblings: the evolving relationship between property law and resource management”, Resource Management Journal, November 2024; and
• co-author of “What does property development and subdivision look like under the new Resource Management Reform”, Property Lawyer Journal, May 2026.

Devony is actively involved in the community and contributes her time to governance and professional organisations, including:

• Dress for Success Hamilton Board; and
• Waikato Bay of Plenty Women in Law Committee.

Devony holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from the University of Waikato, and a Bachelor of Education from Te Wananga o Aotearoa.