Warrant briefly issued for AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd's arrest after late court appearance

Phil Rudd in the High Court in Tauranga this morning. Photo / Alan Gibson

A warrant to arrest former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was briefly issued when he failed to arrive on time for his High Court appearance today.

Rudd, 60, arrived to appear before Justice Timothy Brewer at the High Court at Tauranga shortly after the warrant was issued.

He is facing charges of possession of drugs and threatening to kill. An earlier charge of attempting to procure a murder was withdrawn.

Rudd jumped on his security guard's back outside court. Photo / Alan Gibson

Rudd entered no plea to the charges of threatening to kill another man, and possession of cannabis and methamphetamine.

Justice Brewer transferred the case to Tauranga District Court.

During his appearance, Rudd winked at the media, drummed a rhythm on the dock then sped away from court in a black sports car.

Rudd was remanded on bail to reappear on December 2.

Rudd first appeared in court on November 7 after police raided his home in Tauranga.

His lawyer, Paul Mabey QC, told media the following day that the charge of attempting to procure of a murder had been withdrawn after a Crown Solicitor reviewed the police file and found there was insufficient evidence to justify the charge.

He still faces charges of possession of marijuana and methamphetamine and threatening to kill.

After his first appearance in court Rudd was released on bail to his Tauranga home.

Australian-born Rudd has lived in Tauranga for a number of years. He first moved to New Zealand in 1983 after being sacked by the band, but hooked up with the band again in 1994.

Rudd in the High Court in Tauranga this morning. Photo / Alan Gibson

Rudd was absent from some promotional material and photographs for AC/DC's 16th studio album, Rock or Bust, which will be released in Australia on November 28.

AC/DC's Angus Young and Cliff Williams told USA Today that they found it hard to get Rudd into the studio to record Rock or Bust, and they initially couldn't move forward. "It put us in a spot," said Young.

Rudd's son Thomas defended his father. "All I will say is that my dad is a good guy. He's not perfect but wouldn't harm anyone," he told the Daily Mail.

- additional reporting Newstalk ZB