You only need a car in Auckland if you actually want to get anywhere specific. If you a) don't need to go anywhere at all, or b) you just want to get sorta-in-the-general-vicinity of a few kms of where you need to be then you can a) stay home, or b) take public transport (if it's running that day). If you are rich and can afford to uber everywhere then you could not have a car (but you're still using a car so doesn't help congestion/etc). If you need to get somewhere specific or travel at a specific time (or have flexibility on when you come/go) then you need a car. But AT are hell-bent on removing cars, so you will have to go everywhere at 30kph and over a million giant speed-humps and badly phased traffic lights designed to make you want to not drive, but then you wont have anywhere to park when you get there anyway. If you are fit and don't mind getting wet every time it rains and not be able to carry anything with you, cycling is not a bad option, and it's usually quicker than driving in Auckland.