Phil Rudd was trying to decide what shoes to wear to court when we arrived at his waterfront mansion in Tauranga. It was a toss-up between brown leather boots or the comfort of white sneakers. Half-dressed and dragging on a cigarette, he immediately offered us a cup of tea – a considerate gesture as he was due in the dock in less than 30 minutes.
Despite his impending appointment with a judge, Rudd appeared calm and relaxed. It was quite a departure from the angry scenes we've seen on TV of him reacting to the media throng. But that's just the "Irish temper", according to Rudd.
I wanted to speak with him to get an insight into his character and to learn more about the real Phil Rudd. I generally found him to be polite, engaging and quick-witted, constantly offering up jokes and stories about his past. And what a past he's had – four decades behind the drums for one of the biggest rock bands on the planet. AC/DCs Back in Black sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, second only to Michael Jackson's album, Thriller.
The momentous success of AC/DC's raw brand of rock has meant they've made a lot of money. The collection of supercars parked in Rudd's garage (his helicopter is at his private hanger), including a red Ferrari 599, is testament to that and gives some insight into his lifestyle. And it's that lifestyle of success and excess which has no doubt in part led to his downfall.
But Rudd is a man determined to get back up. What was most obvious from our time with him was observing how desperately keen he is to make amends and get back with his band AC/DC.
"I've got a lot to think about now," Rudd told me. "I've grown up, but not grown old. I hope there's a difference. I still want to play the drums. I've got a lot of game left and I reckon I'm just starting to get cleared up.
"So I just want a chance to get back in with the boys and just carry on from there."
Although his bandmates have publicly stated that Rudd needs to get himself sorted, they've always praised his musicianship as being crucial to the AC/DC sound. So it would appear there's no closed door to Rudd's possible return.
But why is Rudd, one of the world's best rock drummers, living in little old Tauranga anyway? Well, it was a trip to Rotorua two decades ago when he fell for the Kiwi way of life.
"I saw a helicopter on the side of the road and I was hooked," Rudd told me. "There were blokes in jeans and gumboots flying helicopters and where I come from (he's from Melbourne) it's much more formal.
"You know, it's all a bunch of wankers in their shirts."
Rudd likes to get places fast, and living in Tauranga means he can leave his house and be on his boat in three minutes, or be at the airport with his chopper in a minute in a half.
This was until he was convicted on some serious charges and sentenced to home detention. His TV, home gym and drum kit will help keep him occupied, but I certainly sensed a level of frustration at his not being allowed to venture out.
Rudd is a man used to doing what he wants, when he wants, and doing it at full speed. The court action has put the brakes on his life.
But I personally think Rudd is turning a corner and wish him all the best. Performers like him don't come along very often. It seems a colossal waste not to have him back up on stage where he belongs.
Tune in to 3D tonight at 6:30pm for the full story with Phil Rudd.
3 News