The Taiwanese fishing vessel that ran aground on a Niue reef last week has been completely burnt out by a large fire.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said the fire took place after the vessel grounded.

Images taken by an NZDF reconnaissance flight last Friday revealed the extent of the damage.

It assessed the environmental cost after the FV Chuan I Shin ran aground on Beveridge Reef on 1 June.

Air Commodore Shaun Sexton said there did not appear to be any major oil spills and the vessel was intact.

The Niue government's spokesperson Gaylene Tasmania said the 11 crew members were rescued and were all well.

She said the next stage of the operation is to salvage the wreck.

There has been no indication yet whether the Taiwanese vessel had any right to be in marine zone, and whether or not it had been fishing there.

Beveridge Reef is 236km south-east of Niue island.