John Martin is regarded as the town’s founder and set out the first streets in the pattern of the Union Flag[5] in the 19th century.

Before Martinborough was established the southern part of the region was known as Waihenga, a point that seems to be lost at times in the history of the district.

Other industries around Martinborough focus on traditional beef and sheep farming; growing olives, lavender and nuts; and fishing at the coast settlements of Ngawi and Cape Palliser.

Tourism is an important industry for the town, and the Martinborough i-site[18] provides advice about accommodation, activities, wineries and where to eat.

[19] In January 2023, an area of 3,665 square kilometres (1,415 sq mi), was certified as the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association.

[20] The area covered by the reserve includes the Aorangi Forest Park, and the South Wairarapa and Carterton Districts.

Martinborough was the location for the first public meeting to discuss the proposal to apply for dark sky accreditation,[21] and the town is approximately in the centre of the reserve.

The international cooking school Le Cordon Bleu and UCOL considered establishing a campus in Martinborough by 2009.

They eventually opted to open a campus in Wellington instead, disappointing locals who were hoping it would provide an economic boost to the town.