Howden was born in Scotland and moved to New Zealand with his family as a boy. After attending Otago Boys' High School he worked for the Bank of Australasia in Invercargill before taking other positions in financial institutions in New Zealand.[2] He went into business as a grain and produce merchant in Auckland in the 1900s.[2]
In 1908-09 Howden took 7 for 87 and 5 for 61 with his leg-spin to help Auckland retain the Plunket Shield against Otago, dismissing his brother Ernest in each innings.[3] In January 1910, after Howden had taken six wickets against Canterbury and eight against Wellington to help Auckland retain the Shield, an Auckland cricket writer said: "it is the opinion of many experts that he is without exception the best bowler in New Zealand at present".[4] He was selected in the first of the two matches New Zealand played against Australia later that season, but had no success.[5]
Howden was also an accomplished golfer who won several local championships.[2]
Howden died in November 1938, aged 61, survived by his wife and four sons.[2] He left an estate worth 11,000 pounds.[6] A short biography (containing family trees) titled Alister MacDonald Howden: A True Sportsman 1875-1938 was published in 2015.[7]
