An Australian journalist has made a bizarre accusation the cost of living is hitting Kiwis so hard that people have resorted to eating snails and not using toilet paper. 

Journalist Angela Mollard appeared earlier this week on Australia's The Morning Show on Channel 7, during a segment called 'What's the buzz'.

Mollard gave her analysis of inflation across the ditch but suggested the cost of living pinch is hitting Kiwis harder than Aussies. 

"Our inflation is significantly less than other places in the world," she said. 

"In New Zealand, they are eating snails from the garden and using water spray instead of toilet paper because it's so expensive." 

Mollard's comments seem to be referring to a story published by Stuff in June, which featured frugal Kiwis going to extreme lengths to eat cheaply and sustainably.