His first wicket, that of Azhar Ali, saw him surpass Richard Hadlee's career tally of 53 victims on the ground.
But he was joined - and then temporarily passed - by skipper Daniel Vettori, whose haul of 4-100 moved him to 55.
Martin, however, mopped up the tail to finish one ahead on 56.
"It's temporary, I think," said the 36-year-old. "I think Dan and I will exchange that while I'm around but he'll grab it at the end."
Both Martin and Vettori were denied five-wicket hauls when Tim Southee took the final wicket.
Pakistan, who had been 286-3 at one stage, were all out for 376 - a lead of just 20 on first innings.
And New Zealand openers Martin Guptill (1no) and Brendon McCullum (6no) survived to stumps on day three at 9-0, raising the home side's hopes of a series-levelling victory.
