From the time of the opening of the Thames goldfield, miners were tormented by the belief that the best gold would be found in Te Aroha mountain, on their southern horizon - so near and yet so far because of Maori resistance to prospecting that district. Some Maori claimed to have found gold there, and visiting Pakeha from at least the 1850s onwards detected gold in the vicinity. The first time gold in the Waiorongomai valley was noted was in 1868. Several prospectors claimed to have explored the district, illegally and, potentially, dangerously, especially after Ohinemuri was opened to mining in 1875. But not until Hone Werahiko found gold in 1880 and the field was officially opened on 25 November would it be possible to prove whether a payable goldfield existed.