UPDATED 4.32PM: Troubled AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has appeared in court today after an incident in Tauranga this morning.

Rudd, 60, who plans to defend charges of threatening to kill, and possession of cannabis and methamphetamine, was remanded on bail at his last court appearance in Tauranga District Court on Tuesday.

Rudd's bail conditions, included having no contact with any of the complainants and police witnesses named in the police charge sheets.

Rudd was not arrested this morning in Greerton after he breached the non-association order.

His lawyer Craig Tuck told Judge Paul Geoghegan his client acknowledged that he had breached the non-association condition by having contact with a police witnesses at a local shop, and sought re-admission to bail, subject to tightened bail conditions.

Crown solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones said this was a serious breach because it involved potential inference with a Crown witness and urged the breach to be noted on the court record.

Judge Geoghegan agreed that was appropriate, and readmitted Rudd to bail after varying his bail conditions to include a further condition, which bans him from consuming illegal drugs.

Mr Hollister-Jones said he sought this extra condition because Rudd's behaviour had been erratic and it would help to manage his complacence with all his bail conditions.

Rudd is due back in court on February 10 for a case review hearing.

Rudd's appearance in Tauranga District Court related to a breach of bail, and his bail conditions were amended to include that he not consume illicit drugs.

He was remanded to reappear on February 10 where he will also face charges on other matters.

Rudd mumbled unintelligible responses when questioned by media as he was leaving the court with Mr Tuck.

Mr Tuck said outside court the incident had been a chance meeting.

"It was a meeting with somebody he wasn't meant to associate with in a shop. It was a chance meeting and then there was contact from that."

Rudd then sped off in a waiting sports car.

Rudd was taken in to police custody outside Tauranga Girls' College around 10.45am today.

He was handcuffed and taken to Tauranga police station.

Witness Tim Carson said police pulled over two cars outside the school.

"He was out and bloody dancing around and carrying on and ... led back to the cop car and was driven away."

Mr Carson said it seemed like one car had been chasing the other.

Police said they would not be comment on the incident and directed all enquiries to Rudd's lawyer.