Auckland gastroenterologist and interventional endoscopist

About Dr Marius van Rijnsoever

Specialist care for digestive, liver, biliary and pancreatic conditions.

Dr Marius van Rijnsoever provides practical, patient-centred gastroenterology care with a focus on clear explanations, careful investigation and personalised treatment plans.

Patient-centred gastroenterology care

Dr Marius looks after patients with conditions affecting the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, bile ducts and pancreas. This includes inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, reflux, abdominal pain, bowel symptoms, abnormal liver tests, pancreatic and biliary disorders, and bowel cancer prevention.

He believes that good care starts with helping patients understand what is happening. His approach is to identify the underlying cause where possible, explain the options clearly, and create a practical plan tailored to the individual patient.

The goal is simple: better understanding, better decisions and treatment that is practical for the person in front of him.

Areas of care

  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Reflux and indigestion
  • Abdominal pain
  • Abnormal liver tests
  • Bile duct disorders
  • Pancreatic conditions
  • Bowel cancer prevention

Advanced endoscopy

Dr Marius has extensive experience in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. He performs both routine and advanced procedures, with a special interest in minimally invasive treatments that can avoid or reduce the need for major surgery.

  • Gastroscopy
  • Colonoscopy
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • Endoscopic mucosal resection
  • Endoscopic ultrasound
  • ERCP
  • SpyGlass cholangioscopy
  • Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic collections
  • Endoscopic stenting
1
Minimally invasive care Using advanced endoscopic techniques where appropriate to reduce the need for more invasive procedures.
2
Complex pancreatic and biliary work Experience in EUS, ERCP, SpyGlass and endoscopic treatment of pancreatic collections.
3
Practical treatment planning Care that combines accurate diagnosis, clear communication and an individualised plan.

During his advanced interventional endoscopy work at Waitematā DHB, Dr Marius helped introduce newer endoscopic techniques for the treatment of pancreatic fluid collections. These techniques improved outcomes for seriously unwell patients, reduced time in intensive care and created significant cost savings for the public health system.

Training and professional background

Dr Marius graduated from the University of Notre Dame medical school in Fremantle, Western Australia. He completed specialist gastroenterology training at Fremantle Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital and the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital liver transplant unit.

He then completed an advanced interventional endoscopy fellowship at Waitematā DHB in Auckland, where he developed further expertise in complex endoscopic procedures including endoscopic ultrasound, ERCP and therapeutic endoscopy.

Before studying medicine, Dr Marius worked in cancer research in the Netherlands, Western Australia and Los Angeles. His research focused on improving outcomes for cancer patients, particularly in colorectal cancer.

Qualifications

  • Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of PhysiciansFRACP, 2017
  • Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of SurgeryUniversity of Notre Dame, Fremantle, 2009
  • Master of Medical Science with DistinctionUniversity of Western Australia, 2002
  • Bachelor of Science with HonoursThe Netherlands, 2001

Awards and recognition

Dr Marius has received awards for clinical care, communication, research and academic achievement.

  • New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology Janssen Research Fellowship
  • Research Foundation Award, Fremantle Hospital
  • GP Communication Award, Fremantle Hospital
  • Academic and Service Excellence Award, University of Notre Dame and RACGP Perth
  • Young Investigator Awards, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
  • VSB Scholarship for Medical Research, The Netherlands

Research background

Before becoming a doctor, Dr Marius worked in translational cancer research in the Netherlands, Western Australia and Los Angeles. His early research focused on colorectal cancer biology, molecular markers, treatment response and cancer outcomes.

He has published in peer-reviewed journals including Gut, Clinical Cancer Research, American Journal of Pathology, Oncology, Disease Markers and the Journal of Interferon and Cytokine Research.

A full publication list is available on request.

Education and community

Dr Marius is passionate about education for patients, GPs and the wider community. He regularly contributes to GP education and aims to make gastroenterology practical, understandable and relevant to everyday clinical care.

Outside medicine, he has also been involved in science education through the “Space Teddy” project at Forrest Hill Primary School, where children learned about science, the environment and computer programming by sending a teddy bear into near space.

He also enjoys Latin dancing and has competed successfully in zouk and salsa with his wife.

Space Teddy project Science, environment and programming education through a near-space balloon project.
Space Teddy follow-up video A community education project designed to make science memorable and fun for children.