Martin was born in Tokoroa, New Zealand, and is of Māori descent, specifically the Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Waikato Tainui Iwi tribes.

Martin grew up in Taharoa and played his junior football for Turangawaewae before moving to the Gold Coast, Australia and attending Keebra Park State High School on a scholarship.

[citation needed] After starting the season with Penrith and playing seven first grade games, Martin moved to the North Queensland Cowboys mid-season on a three-year deal.

[11] Martin started at five-eighth in round 1 of the 2018 NRL season, filling in for the injured Michael Morgan and playing alongside Johnathan Thurston for the first time.

[17] Martin's contract expired following the 2019 season but he remained at North Queensland, undertaking pre-season training in the hope of being cleared to play rugby league again.

[19] On 7 January 2022, the Brisbane Broncos announced Martin would be joining the club ahead of the 2022 NRL season on a Development contract, after more than two years out of the professional ranks of Rugby League.

"Te Maire joins us on a development list contract and I've no doubt will be pushing some of our other notable candidates to partner Adam Reynolds in the halves."

[citation needed] Martin played nine games for the New Zealand Warriors in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 4th on the table and qualified for the finals.