27/05/2026
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Hank Murney, founder of RX Plastics. Hank passed away on Monday after a long battle with illness, aged 78.
Hank’s contribution to our business and the wider industry is significant. In 1975, he and wife Kate began RX Plastics in a small tin shed in Ashburton, manufacturing bag ties with just the two of them as employees. Through hard work, reinvestment, innovation, and a deep passion for what they were building, they steadily grew the business into something much greater.
Over time, RX Plastics expanded well beyond its humble beginnings - into extrusion pipe, plant pots, tanks, PVC products and irrigation systems - becoming a recognised leader in rural water management.
By 2008, when the Murney family sold the business to Aliaxis, RX Plastics had grown to include sites in Tinwald and Horotiu and had established a strong reputation for expertise and reliability.
Hank was known not only for his entrepreneurial spirit, but also for his character - someone who worked hard, valued relationships, and enjoyed a good laugh. He built many lasting friendships across the business, and his legacy continues to be felt today.