| Vinnie Kruse | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Shortland Street character | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Portrayed by | Pua Magasiva | ||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2003–2006, 2011–2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 25 November 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 19 July 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Harriet Crampton (2003) Steven Zanoski (2011) | ||||||||||||||||||
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 | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (November 2021) |
Vainu'u "Vinnie" Kruse-Miller (previously Kruse) is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Pua Magasiva. Vinnie first arrived on 25 November 2003, leaving the show on 23 February 2006. He made a return to the soap after a five-year gap on 16 August 2011.
The role was created specially for Magasiva and Vinnie is known for his party-loving and easy-going ways. His introduction saw a new group of young characters that formed a demographic for "hip, young things". Usually involved in comedic relief, Vinnie also participated in several melodramatic story lines such as the high-profile affair with his good friend Tama Hudson's (David Wikaira-Paul) girlfriend Shannon Te Ngaru (Amber Curreen). The storyline was named as a highlight of the 2004 season and cemented Vinnie's label as a "heart throb". Magasiva quit the role in 2006 and the character was written out when he accidentally impregnated tourist girlfriend – Jemima Hampton (Liesha Ward Knox). Vinnie made his return in 2011 and in the intervening years, the characters family was introduced, making the soap's first ever Polynesian family unit.
The character was well received and remains known as a heart throb, with Magasiva beating out his brother Robbie for "Hottest Male" in the TV Guide Best on the Box Awards 2012. Vinnie has also been named as one of the fans favourite characters and Magasiva, the favourite actor.