Rudd attorney, Paul Mabey QC, issued a press release that said, 'I was advised by the (Tauranga) Crown Solicitor, (Greg) Hollister-Jones, that he had reviewed the police file and the available evidence to support the charge of attempting to procure murder. He had formed the view that there was insufficient evidence to justify that charge. He has now withdrawn the charge.'

The drummer was taken into custody after a raid at his Tauranga area home and was later released on bail. Rudd will still face charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill.

A spokesperson for Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones confirmed to Sky News Australia that the attempted procurement of murder charge has been dropped.

Mabey told Stuff.co.nz that Rudd will fight the threatening to kill charge and he also said that the drug possession charges were "minor".

Mabey also told the news outlet that that "the decision to charge Mr Rudd was made by the New Zealand Police without consultation with the Tauranga Crown solicitor."

The attorney added, "Mr Rudd has suffered unnecessary and extremely damaging publicity as a result of widespread and sensational reporting of a very serious allegation, which on any basis was never justified."

Before this dramatic change in events, AC/DC issued a statement Thursday addressing Rudd's arrest and assuring fans that it would not disrupt their upcoming album release and tour plans.