Police discovered 25 grams of cannabis on Rudd\'s dock and another two grams of the drug on his boat at the North Island\'s Tauranga Bridge Marina in October.

The Australian rock star pleaded guilty to the charge, said he was remorseful and wanted to take full responsibility for his actions.

The drummer\'s lawyer, Craig Tuck, requested a discharge without conviction, arguing a criminal record could hinder Phil Rudd\'s international touring duties. Phil spent most of the year travelling the world with AC/DC:

\"Over the last nine months, at least 20 countries have been entered as a drummer in one of the biggest rock bands in the world. He travels extensively around the globe, across the planet, and on the basis of such criminality, which is low level offending, he is being targeted.\"

Community Magistrate Robyn Paterson refused and criticized the star:

\"It was not just an accident. You were blindly ignoring the law.\"

Phil Rudd was fined $NZ250 (approximately £122) and ordered to pay court fees.

This is the first time the musician has been convicted of a drug offence.