Martin van Beynen (born 1959) is a New Zealand writer, print journalist, and former columnist for The Press in Christchurch. Of Dutch extraction, van Beynen was born in Christchurch. He lived in West Auckland from the age of 11. He was educated at St Peter's College, Auckland where he played rugby union and was taught Art by Vic Urlich. Van Beynen attended the University of Auckland, where he studied law, graduating in 1981. He gained an M.A. in 1982. Van Beynen is married with three children, and lives in Diamond Harbour, Banks Peninsula.