A Russian billionaire has been given permission to build a 233m walkway along an untouched Northland coastline to get better access to his fishing boat.

Northern Districts slumped to an embarrassing innings loss to Canterbury in their Plunket Shield clash at Whangarei today.

Supporters of Lion Man Craig Busch have mounted a campaign in support of him, after the death of a tiger at Zion Wildlife Gardens.

A male police officer was allegedly bitten by a drunk woman as he took her to the police station, leaving him requiring medical attention.