Places to live in Auckland

My partner and I are weighing up options of moving to NZ, most likely Auckland given the jobs available. We're only at the early stages but trying to research great areas to live in Auckland, if we were successful in getting jobs there.

The issue we have is we want to have a car so we can drive out and explore the North Island in our free time, but I'd assume like most cities it's difficult to find apartments that come with parking in the city centre, or at least within a reasonable budget.

If we lived outside of the city in a house with parking that's great, but then we have the challenge of commuting into the city centre for work if we both had jobs there. Driving in and out of the city for work isn't something we'd really want to be doing, but I've heard the public transport in Auckland isn't too great?

Any thoughts on ideal suburban areas that are best positioned to be able to drive out of the city on weekends, but still easily commute into the CBD (on public transport or even cycle) in the week would be great!