About Tīmata
What is Tīmata?
A free, step-by-step guide to the first 30 days after leaving prison in Aotearoa New Zealand, for the person leaving, their whānau, and the people who support them.
Who is it for?
People leaving prison in New Zealand, their whānau, and probation, reintegration, housing and community workers.
What does it cover?
The first 30 days, starting on release day: reporting to Probation, financial support, somewhere to stay, ID, money, housing, health, work and getting online. Whānau also get steps for before release day and for day one.
Is it free?
Yes, and it will stay free. There's no business model behind it and no plan for one.
Using Tīmata
Where do I get it?
On the App Store, on Google Play, or in any web browser at timata.co.nz.
Does it work without data or signal?
Yes. The iPhone and Android apps work with no signal or data from the first time they open, reminders included.
Does it work in my region?
Yes. Choose a region and the support services that cover it come first. Nothing is hidden, so every option is still there.
Can whānau use it?
Yes. Whānau get their own path, written for the person helping, starting before release day.
I support people leaving prison. Can I use it with them?
Yes. They don't need an account or a phone number.
Privacy
Do I need an account or a phone number?
No. Open it and start.
How is my progress saved? Who can see it?
It's saved under a private link, not under your name. You can delete it whenever you like.
Where the information comes from
Where does the information come from?
From the official source, usually the government agency or the organisation that runs the service. Where a step has a source, it's linked.
What if something on Tīmata is wrong or out of date?
The official pages Tīmata links to are checked automatically. When one changes or a link breaks, a person reads the source, then fixes the step or confirms it's still right.
The story behind it
I'm Jeevan Daniel, a designer and developer living in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
For years I've built websites and tools for non-profits, working alongside teams in community nursing, hospice care and chronic-illness support. It showed me how stretched community services are in this country, and how rarely the tools built for them reach people where they are.
Tīmata is my way of giving back. The name means "to begin", and that's the whole idea: a clear place to start for someone leaving prison, their whānau, and the people who support them.
It's free, and it will stay free. There's no business model behind it and no plan for one. My commercial work pays for it, and I've kept it lean so it can keep running.
If something's wrong or missing, tell me at help@timata.co.nz.
More about me → jeewan.me