Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa.
Martin was a co-founder of Otāngarei Trust and has worked for over twenty years in community development, working with high need at risk youth and their whānau, including a role as Director of three residential facilities. Martin has been involved In a number of community based projects including a Ministry of Justice funded pilot programme, Otāngarei Safer Streets, and advocated for wired fire alarms in all housing NZ homes (which was adopted nationally). More recently, Otāngarei Trust was the lead agency for Whānau Ora collective, Te Hau Awhiowhio O Otāngarei. Martin holds a Post-Grad for MA Māori Development, Bachelor of Social Science, Diploma in Social Science and Certificate in Cultural Supervision.