The Prime Minister says the fire at Loafers Lodge on Wellington's Adelaide Rd has killed at least six people, but more fatalities are possible.
He spoke to AM on Tuesday morning, labelling it an "absolute tragedy".
"Can I just acknowledge the incredible effort of our firefighters in the early hours of the morning to get people out of the building, to try and get the fire out, putting themselves in harm's way to do that," he said.
"Can I acknowledge the victims and their families. An absolutely tragic set of circumstances."
Hipkins said there will be time to look at why the fire happened and whether the building code was complied with. He hasn't received an advice on that yet.
He sends "all strength" to the firefighters.
Watch the full interview above.
