An international relations expert says it's important New Zealand shows its face at a big climate change conference. 

COP 26 is taking place in Glasgow at the end of the month. 

Patrick Bayer from Strathclyde University says told Kate Hawkesby United Nations decision-making happens on a consensual basis. 

"Every country that is not represented to is going to throw a spanner the works, in terms of other countries not knowing what governments stand for." 

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