Martin Jenkins has been chosen as the Protect and Prosper candidate for the electorate of Ohariu.

Martin was born and bred in the Wellington suburb of Khandallah. Martin has lived in the Ohariu electorate for over 30 years. He is married.

Martin has qualifications in Civil Engineering and Finance from New Zealand Universities. In addition, he has a post graduate Certificate in Applied Finance, a Certificate in Export and a Certificate in Horticultural Industry Practice.

Martin has worked in engineering, project management, property development consultancy, retail property management, business development consultancy, road safety education campaigning and intellectual property licensing. He has significant expertise and experience in business in both New Zealand and Australia.

Martin worked as a property development consultant, involved with the planning of the World Square project in CBD, Sydney. A very large development project comprising of commercial office towers, retail, hotel, serviced apartments and carparks.

It may be of particular interest to retailers that Martin has managed a block of retail shops for over 20 years.

In 2005, Martin established New Zealand’s first drowsy driving (driver fatigue) educational campaign, to educate New Zealanders about the dangers of driving while tired. He has strongly advocated for educating New Zealanders about all of the crash causes rather than just the ‘enforceable risks’. Martin wrote ‘The Drowsy Driving Handbook’ and produced ‘The Drowsy Driving DVD’ that are in many New Zealand secondary schools, libraries and overseas.

Martin wrote the Driver Fatigue section for the 2006 New Zealand Road Code. He established the ‘New Zealand Drowsy Driving Awareness Day’ (13th December) announced at Parliament in 2006.

Martin is very ‘solutions’ and ‘delivery’ focused.  He only celebrates when the high standard of the ‘Operational Completion Test’ (‘OCT’) has been completed, demonstrating that the original objectives have actually been achieved.

Martin strongly believes in the values of ‘Responsibility’, ‘Accountability’ and ‘Transparency’ and that all politicians, political parties and Government employees should abide by these values.

Martin takes a ‘common sense’, ‘practical’ and ‘pragmatic’ approach to all his undertakings.  He believes strongly in ‘fairness’. Where everyone should be treated equally no matter what race, religion, gender or age.

Martin has a long track record in serving the community both locally and nationally.

Some examples of his work include;

• Inaugural and current Committee member of the Onslow Residents Community Association Inc. (ORCA), representing residents in the suburbs of Khandallah, Broadmeadows and Kaiwharawhara (est. 2019).

 

• Founder of the AKILLA Drowsy Driving (Driver Fatigue) Educational Campaign for New Zealand (est. 2005).

 

• Founder of the Portrait Club Wellington (est. 2009).

 

• Awarded an Honorary Life Membership to the Thorndon Tennis & Squash Club (Thorndon Club Inc. est. 1879) for services to the sports society.

 

• Awarded an Honorary Life Membership to Watercolour New Zealand Inc (est. 1975) for services to the art society.

Martin’s interests are tennis, art and horticulture.

Martin is the Great Grandson of Thomas Mason who represented the Hutt Electorate as a Member of Parliament from 1879 – 1884.