| Vinnie Kruse | |||||||||
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| Shortland Street character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Pua Magasiva | ||||||||
| Introduced by | Harriet Crampton (2003) Steven Zanoski (2011) |
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| Duration | 2003-06, 2011— | ||||||||
| First appearance | 25 November 2003 | ||||||||
| Classification | Present; recurring | ||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||
| Occupation | Nurse at Shortland Street Hospital (2003-2006, 2011-) |
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Vainu'u "Vinnie" Kruse is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Pua Magasiva. Vinnie is a nurse who is shown to have a love of partying and socializing. Vinnie first arrived on 25 November 2003, leaving the show on 23 February 2006. He made a return to the soap after a 5 year gap on 16 August 2011.[1]
Magasiva's older brother Robbie also acts on the soap in the role of Dr. Maxwell Avia. Onscreen the two characters are cousins.
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Pua Magasiva joined the cast in late 2003 as the playboy joker, Vinnie Kruse.[2] The character was said to bring rebellion to the nurses and Magasiva was pleased at how the character portrayed Pacific Islanders, stating; "He is very typical, but that's the way some of us are. We're being real people, I'm trying to be a real Samoan person, not trying to pretend to be someone else but just to be myself."[2] The character departed in early 2006 and early reports suggested he was axed as part of a large cast overhaul at the time,[3] however this was not the case.[4] Magasiva had really grown sick of the role and quit.[4]
In June 2011 it was announced that Vinnie would be returning as part of the build up towards the shows 20th anniversary in May 2012.[4]
Judy Brownlee (Donogh Rees) hired Vinnie in late 2003 and he instantly got on the other nurses nerves with his party boy ways. In 2004 Vinnie started an affair with good friend Tama's (David Wikaira-Paul) girlfriend Shannon Te Ngaru (Amber Curreen). The two went public but Vinnie realized she loved Tama more and they broke up.
Following Shannon, Vinnie struggled to maintain a relationship but a chance meeting with tourist, Jemima (Liesha Ward-Knox) set off a spark with Vinnie[5] and the two dated. Jemima fell pregnant,[6] scaring Vinnie and the two broke up. However in 2006 the lure of being a father proved too much and Vinnie traveled to England to live with Jemima and his child.
Vinnie returned to Shortland Street in August 2011 and quickly gained a job. He revealed to good friend Nicole (Sally Martin) that he had lost his son in a custody battle with Jemima and struggled to cope with the loss. Vinnie was impressed by "Ice Queen" Brooke Freeman (Beth Allen) and the odd couple started to date in November.
The love triangle between Vinnie, Shannon and Tama was named as the most popular romance storyline to feature in 2004.[7] In the 2011 Throng Shortland Street fan awards, Vinnie took out runner up for "Favourite Male Character" and Magasiva took out runner up in "Favourite Actor".[8]
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