Not an actual island, this former borough takes its name from the Green Island bush, uncleared native forest extending from the valley where the community is centred over the hills towards the coast.

Under this system, Green Island is officially an outer suburb within this territorial authority.

Green Island is on State Highway 1, about 9 km (6 mi) west-southwest of the Octagon, Dunedin's city centre.

Along with neighbouring Abbotsford, it is the westernmost suburb within Dunedin City's main urban area.

Green Island's main economy is based on light and small scale heavy industry.

The clubs playing strength has dropped since the late 1990s with the decline of employment opportunities in the town and a general drop in player numbers throughout the Dunedin region, although the club has a thriving social side and a loyal band of supporters and has seen a resurgence off the field in recent years.

[8] The club has in 2019 won the Speights Jug Trophy for winning the first round of Premier Rugby.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 60.7% had no religion, 28.1% were Christian, 0.4% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.1% were Hindu, 1.0% were Muslim, 0.4% were Buddhist and 2.1% had other religions.