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.
Creation and casting
Pua Magasiva had previously auditioned successfully for the guest role of Elvis Iosefa, the cousin of established character Louie in 1999. He appeared for several episodes; however, four years later, he was offered the full-time role of Vinnie Kruse, a core cast member. Vinnie made his first appearance in late 2003. The character was said to bring rebellion to the nurses and Magasiva hoped the character portrayed Pacific Islanders correctly, stating; "I wanted to make Vinnie very cultural, a character that Pacific Island people can relate to." Magasiva soon decided to try his luck elsewhere and quit the role. The character departed in early 2006 and early reports suggested he was axed as part of a large cast overhaul at the time; however, this was not the case. In reality, Magasiva's resignation brought on the large cast overhaul, which was an attempt by producers to represent a culturally proportional society after the exit of the shows only Pacific Islander. Magasiva soon regretted the decision, stating: "I took a risk and I left. The work didn't come." Magasiva returned to the role after five years in August 2011. In 2015 Magasiva announced he would stay with the show "as long as they'll have [him]" and expressed his desire for Vinnie to become the next Chris Warner (the show's longest running character). In late 2015 online rumours surfaced that Magasiva had left the show, though he denied this the following month. Following a series of controversial actions off-screen, Magasiva departed the soap opera in 2018.
Storylines
Judy Brownlee (Donogh Rees) hires Vinnie in late 2003 and he instantly gets on the other nurses' nerves with his party boy ways. In 2004, Vinnie starts an affair with good friend Tama's (David Wikaira-Paul) girlfriend Shannon Te Ngaru (Amber Curreen). The two go public but Vinnie realises she loves Tama more and they broke up. Vinnie is deeply in love with Tania Jeffries (Faye Smythe) but the presence of Mark Weston (Tim Foley) drives the two apart and Vinnie starts to date Jemima Hampton (Liesha Ward Knox). Vinnie is promoted to charge nurse but the pressure proves too much; he resigns from nursing to become a paramedic. However, when he witnesses a murder scene, Vinnie returns to nursing. Jemima falls pregnant, scaring Vinnie, and the two break up. However, in 2006 the lure of being a father proves too much and Vinnie travels to the United Kingdom to live with Jemima and his child.