Tū Mana sits at the intersection of clinical assessment, cultural understanding, justice processes, and practical rehabilitation planning.
Many reports describe a person’s background. Tū Mana goes further. We assess the person, the pattern, the risks, the protective factors, the treatment needs, and the pathway forward.
Our assessments may consider:
- alcohol and other drug use
- co-existing mental health concerns
- trauma and adverse life experiences
- whānau, social, and cultural context
- offending-related patterns and risk factors
- treatment readiness and motivation
- residential or community rehabilitation options
- protective factors and strengths
- practical next steps for counsel, court, probation, and treatment providers
Where consent is provided, Tū Mana can also liaise with treatment providers, request relevant information, support referral planning, and provide addendum reports when new information becomes available.
Our reports are independent. They do not excuse harmful behaviour or replace the Court’s role. They provide clear, clinically grounded information to support accountability, rehabilitation, and better-informed decisions.
Why Counsel Refer to Tū Mana
Counsel refer to Tū Mana when a case requires more than a narrow alcohol and drug assessment or a general background report.
Tū Mana is particularly suited to matters where there are overlapping concerns such as substance use, trauma, mental health distress, family harm, cultural disconnection, unstable housing, whānau stress, past violence, relapse risk, or uncertainty about treatment options.
Our reports are written to help counsel and the Court understand:
- the client’s alcohol and drug use patterns
- the relationship between substance use, distress, trauma, and offending
- mental health and psychosocial factors relevant to risk and rehabilitation
- strengths and protective factors that may support change
- realistic treatment options, including residential or community-based pathways
- what supports are needed to reduce relapse, reoffending, or further harm
The goal is to provide clear, balanced, evidence-informed reporting that supports fair decisions and practical rehabilitation planning.
Assessment Scope
A Tū Mana assessment may include:
- referral question and purpose of assessment
- alcohol and other drug history
- mental health, trauma, and psychosocial history
- whānau, cultural, developmental, education, and work history
- offending-related context where relevant
- current supports and protective factors
- current risk and safety considerations
- treatment readiness and motivation for change
- clinical and risk formulation
- treatment and rehabilitation recommendations
- referral pathway advice
- continuity of care considerations
Each assessment is tailored to the referral question, available information, timeframe, consent, and the person’s circumstances.
Our Process
1. Enquiry
A person, whānau member, lawyer, practitioner, or service contacts Tū Mana to discuss what support may be needed.
2. Consent and Scope
We clarify consent, the purpose of the work, key timeframes, and what information may be needed.
3. Assessment or Session Work
We complete the agreed assessment, counselling, or supervision process in a structured, respectful, and trauma-informed way.
4. Report, Plan, or Next Steps
Upon completion of an assessment, we provide a clear written report and, where appropriate, support referral pathways to treatment, rehabilitation, or ongoing care.
5. Pathway Support
Where consent is provided, we may liaise with counsel, treatment providers, whānau, or services to support continuity and reduce gaps between assessment and next steps.
Who We Work With
Tū Mana works with:
- defence counsel
- Public Defence Service and Legal Aid matters
- private clients
- people before the Court
- people in custody or on remand
- people seeking residential or community treatment
- probation and case managers
- health and addiction providers
- whānau and support people
- community organisations
- practitioners and kaimahi seeking supervision
We are based in Ōtepoti, Dunedin, and work across the South Island and wider Aotearoa, where remote assessment is appropriate.
Need a Court-Ready Assessment or Pathway Advice?
Tū Mana can assist where addiction, mental health, trauma, psychosocial stress, culture, risk, or rehabilitation planning are relevant to a court or treatment pathway.
Contact us to discuss the referral purpose, timeframe, information required, and next steps.
