[5] Following his time at Western Suburbs, McCowatt moved to ISPS Handa Premiership club Auckland City along with fellow Olé graduates Dalton Wilkins and Owen Parker-Price on 26 September 2017.

[6] Though he was originally intended for the youth team[citation needed], McCowatt eventually started every game Auckland City played that season, including the FIFA Club World Cup and OFC Champions League campaigns.

McCowatt scored the only goal in the grand final as Auckland City defeated Team Wellington 1–0 to lift the league title.

[7][8] Following McCowatt's success in his debut season, in which he formed an attacking trio with Ryan de Vries and Emiliano Tade, he earned a trial with Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam, but was not offered a contract.

[16] McCowatt scored his first goal for the club against HB Køge in the Danish 1st Division promotion group match.