John (Johnny) Martin (1822 – 17 May 1892) was a "labourer, carter, merchant, politician, runholder, [and] land speculator".

[1] Martin was born in Moneymore, County Londonderry, Ireland on 11 November 1822.

His family travelled to New Zealand on Lady Nugent, eventually landing at Port Nicholson, on 17 March 1841.

[1] Martin was made a justice of the peace by William Fitzherbert in 1876, and in 1878 was called to the New Zealand Legislative Council by Premier George Grey.

[2] During his 14-year career in the Legislative Council, he only spoke four times, and came to be known as the "silent member".