There is a long-held perception in New Zealand that pay rates within the Not for Profit (NfP) sector are not as generous as those available in other sectors. Pay increases are also thought to be less competitive. It is generally thought that this “practice” flows from a preference by organisations within the sector to direct funding towards the delivery of services rather than to the recruitment and retention of staff on competitive pay. This article drills into the results from MHR’s March 2024 pay survey to establish whether there is any truth in these perceptions.