The colourful character, with perhaps the world's most distinctive finger, was in Dunedin yesterday to "spread the word" and convert naysayers.
Sounding only a little like a televangelist, umpiring, he said, was a wonderful and rewarding career.
"I'm here to encourage the current umpires but also to attract new umpires, and get people to think about umpiring," Bowden said.
"New Zealand Cricket are on the lookout for younger umpires. We've got good depth at the moment but that depth could be deeper. The more umpires we have, the more chance we have of having quality umpires."
Arthritis prevented Bowden from playing, but he was able to remain involved in the sport he loves through umpiring.
While the job had its trials, even the worst days out in the middle were still pretty good, he said.
"It is a tough gig but it is a rewarding and challenging gig. With all the technology coming through, it is getting tough. But we're asking people to give it a go."
Bowden's next international umpiring assignment is in England, where he will officiate in the third and fourth tests between England and Pakistan.
Compatriot Tony Hill will join Bowden in the middle for the fourth test at Lord's.
Bowden believes it will be the first time two New Zealand umpires have stood in a test together since neutral umpires were introduced by the ICC in 2002.
"I don't think there has ever been two New Zealand umpires umpiring together overseas. This could be the first time. So it is a feather in the cap and it's at Lord's."
It took Bowden 47 tests before he was awarded a test at Lord's. - the ground he regards as the spiritual home of cricket.
The next will be his third.
"I must be doing something right. Maybe I'm too conservative now," he said.
Bowden made a name for himself with his flamboyant signals during the now-defunct Cricket Max competition.
He has toned down some of the more unusual actions but still retains a style all his own.
The New Zealand Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association's annual conference will be held in Dunedin later this month.
