Draft:Robyn Martin

Robyn Martin is a New Zealand food writer, editor, and cookbook author. She is known for her contributions to domestic food writing and recipe development over more than four decades, having authored over 50 cookbooks. Martin worked as Food Editor for the Auckland Star and later for The New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, contributing to the magazine’s test kitchen and recipe development for over two decades. Her publications, including the Quick’n’Easy series, have been widely distributed in New Zealand.

Career

Martin began her career in food writing in the 1970s, working in the test kitchens of the Auckland Star, New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, and New Zealand Home Journal as a junior assistant. She studied Home Science at the University of Otago and completed a Master of Science in food and nutrition at Kansas State University in 1976.

After returning to New Zealand, Martin started a weekly Consumer Affairs page in the Auckland Star and later worked in food marketing. In 1984, she became Food Editor of The New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, succeeding her mentor, food editor Tui Flower, and held this position until 2006. She oversaw recipe testing, food photography, and editorial content for the magazine’s test kitchen.

Alongside her editorial work, Martin authored more than 50 cookbooks, many focusing on accessible and affordable meals for home cooks. Popular series include Quick’n’Easy, Never Fail Muffins, and Best Recipes for Crockpots & Slow Cookers. Some titles have been published internationally in South Africa, Portugal, and Australia.

Martin has appeared on New Zealand television and radio, including 5.30 with Jude and TVNZ’s Breakfast, providing cooking demonstrations and meal-planning advice.

Her community work includes fundraising for Hospice, school sports groups, drug rehabilitation programs, and the Life Education Trust.

Legacy

Martin’s cookbooks remain widely held in New Zealand libraries and homes and continue to influence home cooks. Her work is considered part of a generation of food writers who helped modernise domestic cooking, particularly for women returning to work while maintaining household cooking traditions.

Martin’s editorial, media contributions, and community work have helped mentor and inspire new generations of food writers. Her influence on the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly’’ food pages is cited as a key part of the magazine’s culinary legacy.

Selected works

Hodder Moa Beckett and Concept Publishing

• Quick’n’Easy Muffins, Cakes, Biscuits, Slices, Loaves, Scones (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1993)
• Quick’n’Easy Kitchen Companion (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1999)
• Taste of New Zealand Summer (Concept Publishing, 1997)
• Taste of New Zealand Winter (Concept Publishing, 1997)
• Pasta and Italian (Hodder Moa Beckett, 2000)
• Quick’n’Easy: Café Style Food (Concept Publishing, 1997)

Chanel Stylus

• Robyn Martin’s Best Recipes for Crockpots and Slow Cookers (Chanel Stylus, 2007)
• Robyn Martin’s Relish (Chanel Stylus, 2008)
• Robyn Martin Bakes (Chanel Stylus, 2009)
• Simply Delicious Recipes for Crockpots & Slow Cookers (Chanel Stylus, 2010)
• Robyn Martin’s Preserves: Jams, Pickles, Chutneys, Sauces & More (Chanel Stylus, 2012)

Other publications

• Edmonds Illustrated Cookbook (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998)
• New Zealand Woman’s Weekly Best of the Test Kitchen (Random House, 2003)
• Stop the Clock (Random House, 2004; reissued as The Anti-Ageing Cookbook, Ebury Press, 2006)

External links

• Works by Robyn Martin – National Library of New Zealand
• Years of the Weekly Test Kitchen – Now to Love

Category:New Zealand food writers Category:New Zealand women writers Category:Cookbook writers Category:Living people