A congregation of about a thousand people applauded Dr John van Dalen on Sunday 4 October, after the pastor asked him to stand and thanked him for what the surgical team had achieved during the week.
"It was very moving to witness," John said.
The service was at the Wesleyan church that the Royal Family regularly attends, and came after John's Sunday ward round.
He did the round with Dr Tungefasi, the on-call surgeon for the weekend, who had assisted John with Monday's surgery earlier in the week before working with Dr Tom Sharp on the trauma cases.
The news on the ward was good. All the patients operated on during the week were progressing well and were up and walking with a frame or crutches. One needed a dressing change, and John was able to discharge two more.
Help fund the next 25
Rotary Club of Whanganui North has set up a Givealittle page to fund 25 more joint replacements in 2027. Each replacement costs about NZ$8,000, around a quarter of the private price in New Zealand. The goal is NZ$200,000.
Donate on Givealittle (opens in a new tab)
Read the previous update: day six.