She had lived through a devastating earthquake and two world wars.
Mr MacRae said he believed her longevity was helped by a fierce independence and hardworking spirit.
"The main thing we put it down to is just hard work - she was never sitting still. She was not one of those people who have dinner in the evening and just sit and watch TV. She was always out in the vege garden."
Mrs Akuhata was born on March 10, 1910. Adopted by a family and raised in Waimarama, she attended primary school at the beach community.
She was almost 21 years old when the 1931 Hawke's Bay Earthquake struck, and could remember travelling to Hastings from Waimarama two days after the quake to help in the clean-up effort.
During the World War II she worked as what was known as a "landgirl", running a farm at Papawai near Greytown while its owner fought overseas.
"She had a very strong spirit, she knew her own mind and she often got her own way."
In her younger days, she was heavily involved in sport, playing hockey, golf and tennis.
Mrs Akuhata could not have children of her own but, with her husband Tom, adopted three children. The family lived in Waipatu, just north of Hastings, for 50 years. Mr Akuhata died in 1998.
At Waipatu, she and Tom sectioned off a large area of their property to grow vegetables for the community. They also had a block of land on Lawn Rd in Clive where they grew vegetables for the market garden industry.
She continued to live independently up to the age of 97 before moving into Mary Doyle retirement village.
Mr MacRae said his mother-in-law would continue to serve as an inspiration to him and his family.
"Lots of the whanau looked up to her and there's a few aspiring to reach her age."
A service for Mrs Akuhata's life is being held today at 11am at Waimarama Marae and she will be buried at the Waimarama urupa.