Vinnie Kruse is a fictional character on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. He is portrayed by Pua Magasiva. Vinnie is a nurse who is shown to have a love of partying and socializing. Vinnie first arrived in 2003, leaving the show in 2006. He made a return to the soap after a 5 year gap on 16 August 2011. Magasiva's older brother Robbie also acts on the soap in the role of Dr. Maxwell Avia. Onscreen the two characters are cousins. Vinnie departed the show after Magasiva left the role not due to the large cast overhaul of the time, but rather on his own will. 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.